AN INJURY-RAVAGED Dennington has defied all odds, defeating a premiership favourite to book a spot in the $15,000-to-the-winner Sungold Cup.
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Dennington completed the upset of the season on Thursday, stunning Brierly-Christ Church in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's Twenty20 final.
The Dogs - missing captain Zeb McCarthy and coach Dustin Drew through injury - saluted by 22 runs thanks to heroics from English import Henry Walker.
Walker blasted 47 runs and claimed two wickets to help Dennington to a mouthwatering Sungold Cup quarter final against South West Cricket powerhouse Mortlake on Sunday.
"We've battled since the start of the year," Drew said after the triumph.
"We've taken this different approach to the cricket. Our season could've gone two ways. We could've been down the bottom or we could've done something about it.
"To the guys credit they kept working hard. I said to the boys 'if you keep training hard, things will happen'.
"Look at your Koroits, your North Warrnambools. They keep training hard because they know good things will come."
Drew was delighted to add a cup to Dennington's packed trophy cabinet.
To the guys credit they kept working hard. I said to the boys 'if you keep training hard, things will happen'.
- Dustin Drew
"We're a big club. We have a lot of support and people are behind us all the way," he said.
"I'm just thrilled for everyone involved."
The second-year coach, who also held the Dogs' top job from 2010 to 2015, heaped praise on Walker and young bowler Lochie Worden.
Worden, 17, claimed the wickets of both Mark and Nathan Murphy - two of the association's premier batsmen.
He finished with figures of three for 14 off four overs, including a maiden.
"You don't know what you're going to get with imports," Drew said.
"I just said to Henry when he came out that I didn't expect him to come here and dominate. I said I wanted him to come here, have fun and the cricket will look after itself.
"He's a good cricketer and he's really suited to this format. His form has been outstanding."
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